Canada’s Government

Unit 5 Notes

Government Systems & Types

A Brief Review…

Government Systems --Whose Got the Power?

Unitary--power is held by one central authorityConfederation--association of independent states that agree to certain limitations on their freedoms by joining togetherFederal--power is divided between central authority & several regional authorities

Which system does Canada have?

Government Types --How Do Citizens Participate?Autocratic-- 1 person possesses unlimited power & citizens have limited role in governmentOligarchic-- small group exercises control & citizens have limited role in government Democratic--supreme power is vested in the people & exercised by them directly or indirectly though a system of representation involving free elections

Which type does Canada have?

Two Types of Democratic Governments

Parliamentary-- a system of government having the real executive power vested in a cabinet composed of members of the legislature who elect the leader

Leader works with or through the legislature

Presidential--system of government in which the leader is constitutionally independent of the legislature

Leader works separate from legislature

*Which type of democracy does Canada have?

Canada’s Government

Federation (federal system)

Parliamentary Democracy

Constitutional Monarchy

Leadership

1. Head of State: Monarch of the United Kingdom (presently, Queen Elizabeth II); little political power

2. Governor General: stands in for the monarch

3. Prime Minister: holds the most political power; works closely with the legislature

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Her Excellency The Right Honorable

Michaelle Jean (Governor General)

The Right Honorable Stephen Harper

(Prime Minister)

How the Leader is Chosen…

Governor General: appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister; serves a 5 year term

Prime Minister: is the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons; indirectly elected by the people

Legislature: Parliament1. Senate (105 seats): members are

appointed by the governor general with advice from the Prime Minister

--not elected by the people; can serve until they are 75 years old

2. House of Commons (308 seats): members are directly elected by the people

--serve 5 year terms--largest political party in the House elects the Prime

Minister

Role of Citizen in Government

Citizens must be 18 to vote, but voting is not required by law

Citizens vote for members of the House of Commons, which indirectly elects the Prime Minister